Press Release
New Virginia Majority and Virginia Poverty Law Center Intervene in NextEra Energy/Dominion Energy Merger
Published
August 31, 2026
Deb Freeman dfreeman@newvirginiamajority.org, 757-452-1143;
Faith Kallman, faith@vplc.org, 804-351-5265
NVM and VPLC are deeply committed to ensuring all Virginians can afford to pay for
energy to heat and cool their homes, and both organizations are formally intervening in
the case before the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to review the NextEra Energy
proposal to absorb Dominion Energy to become the energy provider for much of
Virginia.
Both organizations have concerns that ratepayers will ultimately bear the costs of
increased personnel, projects, executive compensation and profits. Consumers deserve
affordable bills, flexible repayment plans, effective customer service, and great utility
accountability.
Rate hikes disproportionately affect communities of color and lower income families,
and essential utility services should prioritize affordability and customer needs rather
than shareholder returns, especially when many households are struggling with rising
costs. Additionally, larger utility monopolies primarily benefit investors while costs are
increased for ratepayers who do not have an alternative in choosing who supplies their
power.
“We are concerned this merger would disproportionately affect communities of color
across the commonwealth, leaving our neighbors to pay more for basic necessities
while NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy shareholders financially benefit. Ensuring
affordability for all Virginians needs to be the central focus and consideration,” said
Tram Nguyen, NVM co-executive director.
“At VPLC, we believe the goal of utility regulation is straightforward: to ensure Virginians
receive safe, reliable, and affordable service at a fair cost. Our advocacy has focused
on creating a balanced regulatory framework that protects consumers while supporting
the infrastructure needed to keep the lights on,” said Jay Speer, VPLC executive
director.
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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color, in immigrant
communities, among LGBTQ people, women, youth, and progressives across the
Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political
education, mobilization and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is
just, democratic and environmentally sustainable.
The Virginia Poverty Law Center is the statewide legal advocacy organization working to break down systemic barriers that keep low-income Virginians in poverty through advocacy, education, and litigation.
